how does ocean acidification affect the climate?
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Ocean acidification affects the climate by reducing the ability of the ocean to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. As the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere increases due to human activities, a significant portion of it is absorbed by the oceans. This process has helped mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. However, the increased absorption of CO2 has led to the ocean becoming more acidic. This acidity hampers the ability of certain marine organisms, such as corals and shellfish, to form their shells or skeletons, ultimately disrupting the marine food chain and ecosystem. These disruptions ripple through the climate system, as the loss of these organisms reduces the oceans' capacity to absorb and store CO2, and thus exacerbates climate change.
References:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (n.d.). What is ocean acidification? Retrieved from https://www.ocean.noaa.gov/facts/oceanacidity.html
Ocean acidification is a consequence of the increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions being absorbed by the oceans. As CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, causing the pH levels in the water to decrease. This process has far-reaching impacts on marine ecosystems and subsequently affects the climate. The acidification of the ocean can lead to the deterioration of coral reefs, shell development, and the overall health of marine organisms. Moreover, these changes disrupt the food chain and could lead to a decline in fish populations. As marine organisms play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, their decline could further exacerbate the climate crisis. Thus, ocean acidification has direct and indirect effects on the climate.
References:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2018). What is Ocean Acidification? Retrieved from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/what-is-ocean-acidification.html
United Nations. (2021). Ocean acidification. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/depts/los/reference_files/ocean_acidification/ocean_acidification_factsheet.pdf
Ocean acidification is the process in which the pH of seawater decreases due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This change in pH has various impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems, which in turn affect the climate. One major effect of ocean acidification is the reduced ability of certain marine organisms, such as corals and shellfish, to build and maintain their protective structures, such as shells and skeletons. This can disrupt the delicate balance in marine ecosystems and lead to a decline in population size and diversity. As these organisms play a crucial role in removing carbon dioxide from the water, their decline can result in increased levels of carbon dioxide in the ocean, exacerbating global climate change. Additionally, ocean acidification can disrupt the food chain, impacting the abundance and distribution of species, and ultimately affecting the entire marine ecosystem.
References:
NOAA Office for Coastal Management. (2021). Ocean Acidification: The Basics. Retrieved from https://coast.noaa.gov/oceanacidification/
Laffoley, D., Baxter, J., & Roe, H. (2019). Climate change and the oceans: impacts and consequences. In Key Concepts in Marine Conservation (pp. 111-127). Routledge.